The Cross River State Government and the Port Harcourt Electricity Distribution Company Plc (PHED) have reacted to the destruction of property worth billions of naira by rainstorm in the state, particularly in Calabar, the state capital.
The devastating rainstorm and the worst in history, affected economic trees, vehicles, electricity poles and cables, telecommunication masts, private and government establishments, and many others.
The rains have also caused floods in some areas prone to flooding.
Some of the affected areas are Goodluck Ebele Jonathan by-pass, Murtala Mohammed Highway, 8 Miles, Ekorinim, Summit Hills, Ikot Ansa, and Harbour, Mobil, MCC, Calabar Road, Stadium, Marian, Akai Efa, Asari Eso, Ediba, Big Qua, State Housing Estate, and Federal Housing Estate.
Others include Marian Market, IBB, Eta Agbor, Mary Slessor, Barracks Road, Watt, Ekpo Abasi, Jebbs, New Airport, Atimbo, Goldie, Anantigha, Target, Mayne Avenue, Bedwell, White House, UNICAL, and Ikot Nkebre.
Apart from Calabar Municipality, other local government areas impacted by the rainstorm are Akpabuyo and Odukpani.
Responding to the disaster, the state government, through the ministry of information has directed all relevant authorities to the affected areas in order to restore normalcy.
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The government also advised residents who have no business going out to remain indoors until everything is put in place, according to a statement issued by the state Commissioner for Information, Erasmus Ekpang.
Ekpang said: “The Cross River State Government wishes to draw the attention of the entire citizenry of the state, especially residents of Calabar Metropolis and other adjoining local government areas in the Southern Senatorial District, to the heavy rains and windstorm and the accompanying destruction of houses, electricity poles and trees in the city centre.”
He advised residents to take precautions by trimming fallen and overgrown trees in and around their vicinity, while at the same time, ensuring that they avoid broken-down electricity poles and wires to ward off any impending danger or fatalities.
“Accordingly, government hereby implores all relevant government agencies and officials of the Port Harcourt Electricity Distribution Company in particular, to swiftly move into action to rectify all damages caused to electricity facilities in the wake of the rain/windstorm, with a view to restoring power supply and clearing the debris in the overall interest of the citizens.
“In the meantime, residents who do not have any serious business going out on the streets and roads are hereby enjoined to remain indoors until normalcy is restored,” the commissioner further advised
Also, a statement released by the management of the Port Harcourt Electricity Distribution Company Plc (PHED) stated that work is ongoing to restore power in the affected areas.
The statement addressed to customers and shared on the official social media handles of the company reads: “Dear esteemed customer, the management of the Port Harcourt Electricity Distribution wishes to inform the general public, particularly our esteemed customers in Calabar that the outage experienced in the metropolis and other adjoining local government areas is as a result of the severe rain and heavy windstorm that swept across the state.
“This incident caused significant damage to PHED power facilities and, hence, the outage. We extend our deepest sympathies to individuals and organisations whose properties were damaged in the storm.
“We understand the extent of the disruption this has caused and assure the public that we are working tirelessly to restore power supply.
“We appeal to our esteemed customers in Calabar to exercise patience as our technical team is working to normalise the situation as soon as possible.”
